Rainbow roots and more bold beauty looks from the VMAs 2019

Another year, another classic VMAs. John Travolta trying to hand the award for Video of the Year to Drag Race alum Jade Jolie in Taylor Swift drag instead of the real Taylor Swift. Lil Nas X’s thank you speech scroll. Missy Elliott’s Video Vanguard performance featuring a throwback cameo from Alyson Stoner. And, as always, stars brought their best looks. From rainbow hair to bold eyes, here are the most memorable beauty looks from the night.

Halsey’s rainbow roots

Colourful roots are officially the new dip dye. First Billie Eilish delighted fans with her slime green roots and now Halsey has turned up with a playful rainbow version. The style, a collaboration between the singer and hairstylist Florido, had fans freaking out (“god is a woman and her name is halsey” tweeted one excited fan) and will no doubt inspire many painted partings and Pride looks to come.

J Balvin’s neon animal print hair 

Another star rocking the technicolour hair trend was J Balvin. The reggaeton musician is no stranger to a strong hair look having, in the past, experimented with everything from rainbows and abstract patterns to Barbie pink, and last night was no exception. For his appearance at the awards, that included a trippy performance alongside frequent collaborator Bad Bunny, J Balvin sported a neon green animal print dyed onto his buzzcut. Fuego.   

Lil Nas X’s nails

Man of the moment Lil Nas X turned up last night in his most resplendent finery. There were sequins, ruffles, lace, and a magnificent manicure courtesy of Dazed Beauty Community member Juan Alvear. The nails spelled out  Lil Nas – just in case there was anyone left in the world who didn’t know the rapper by sight. With Lil Nas rocking the nail art and A$AP Rocky’s recent smiley face manicure, men in hip hop are showing they aren’t afraid to break conventional gender boundaries and we are here for it. 

Lizzo’s trio of hair and make-up looks 

Everyone’s favourite rapper, singer and body-positive icon, Lizzo brought all the looks last night. From the Hairspray bouffant on the red carpet to the teal eye shadow accompanying her second outfit and the bold yellow eye for her performance of break-up anthem “Truth Hurts,” Lizzo, alongside make-up artist Alexx Mayo and hairstylist Shelby Swain, went big and it paid off. 

FKA twigs Pre-Raphaelite punk hair 

Taking the night off from pioneering the new Ahoy Agenda, FKA twigs turned up on the red carpet last night in an asymmetric dress and accompanying tapestry jacket courtesy of designer Ed Marler which she paired with coral, “Pre-Raphaelite Punk” hair by Jillian Halouska and matching coral make-up by Kabuki.

Ebonee Davis’s headwrap  

Model and activist Ebonee Davis looked fierce on the red carpet in a lime green tie-dye slip dress which she paired with a matching green headwrap, green jewellery and glittering green eyeshadow.   

Missy Elliott’s silver braids 

Fresh off the jump-rope hair and blue lipstick we saw in the video for new single “Throw It Back,” Missy Elliott showed up to accept her Video Vanguard award last night with slightly more understated but no less fabulous silver braids and silver bejewelled nails. A perfect match for the Moonman award she was picking up.

Jonathan Van Ness’s First Wives Club nails

Queer Eye star and Essie brand ambassador Jonathan Van Ness did not disappoint with his manicure last night. For the nail look, Mei Kawajiri created artwork which paid homage to 90s cult classic First Wives Club, depicting miniature versions of stars Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton.